mastitis please god help me

[upsetandang]

I have a couple of lumps in my breast and it hurts when baby feeds literally to the point I'm yelping out in pain.
I have a fever and a headache
its so bad in crying my eyes out

this is day 2 only.
I'm going to be home alone with 3 young children and crawling baby tomorrow.
please has anyone got better and sorted it out themselves?
DH called 111 earlier and they have called back but because of a temperature (coronavirus) they have to go through hoops and whatnot to do anything so I'm still waiting for another call.

its gotten loads worse despite a baby and young toddler feeding on it pretty much constantly.
I've looked all over the Internet but I don't know what else to try?

oh no its the third day, I slept and fed and cried through the whole of yesterday and D D D DH stayed up with all the children despite working nights but he will be away all day tomorrow and god knows how I'm going to cope.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen. Warm cloths, nice warm bath. Pump after feeds to make sure def empty.

You need antibiotics. Can you call out of hours?

stop wearing bra or tight fitting clothing.

You need to get antibiotics. Can’t 111 give you a telephone consultation with an out of hours doctor and send through a prescription to an out of hours pharmacy for your dh to pick up.

In my experience they treat mastitis quite seriously because for a lot of women it can lead to them quitting breast feeding.

day 3 - get antibiotics asap

Do you have any nipple shields? You may need antibiotics if it's mastitis. I feel for you as I've had it before. A warm compress on your breast perhaps in the bath may help and regular paracetamol.

The only thing that helped me was bathing my boob in a bowl of warm salt water. This involved lying in an incredibly awkward position on the floor supporting my weight while my boob was dipped in the bowl, underneath which was some towels. Then expressing and feeding.

Sorry just realized - I had a blocked duct not mastitis. If it's the latter you need antibiotics.

Pre COVID by many years I had a telephone consultation with a GP with mastitis. I had two under 17 months, my now ex was working away and I was at the end of my tether. I was 'invited' to the surgery and I said 'I know what it is, I just need a prescription. If I have to come to the surgery with an 8 week old and a 17 month old while I feel like utter crap and I haven't slept for days and a baby permanently attached to my boob to have the same conversation I can have over the phone, you will see a grown woman have a complete break down'. I got a telephone consultation, got the treatment and all was well and I breastfed until he was two.
There is zero reason why you can't get a telephone consultation and a prescription left at a local pharmacy. Good luck! You will get through this.

I should add the GP didn't have mastitis, I did haha!

Oh I so feel for you, I remember that pain well. Soak in a hot bath, and use hot flannels to encourage the blockage to dissipate, and keep feeding. I know it feels like hot needles with each suck, but it will help ease it.
You say it’s day three, mine eased after day 4 so I really hope this starts to ease for you soon x

Have you got any white spots on your nipple?
I had that and (following advice from here) sterilised a needle (I know, I know) and stuck it in the white spot. It was like a balloon deflating- blocked ducts.
The cabbage leaf inside bra old wives remedy eases the pain as well.

But yes, if you can't treat it at home ring ooh for Antibs

Mastitis can quickly become very serious so please persist in seeking treatment. If you have chills/temperature you need antibiotics. It really is a horrible horrible illness. You shouldn't be expected to look after kids while suffering with it. Hope you get well soon

I had that and (following advice from here) sterilised a needle (I know, I know) and stuck it in the white spot.

@TheSilentStars just as well you advised the antibiotics too what the likely infection from sticking a needle in your nipple at home.

DON'T do that OP, ring your out of hours and get antibiotics asap.

Isn't there anyone who can be with tomorrow? What you really need is rest. You DH should take the night off if it's because he's working.

As PPs have said, you need antibiotics. Call 111 and be pushy.
In the meantime, a warm compress over the affected area before feeding might help it feel a bit more comfortable - a tip I read was to run hot/warm water over the inside of a nappy until it’s saturated and use that, it’s stays warm longer than a flannel and doesn’t drip everywhere as it’s all absorbed.

Are any minor injury type places open? Ours had a G.P on site.

Just thought, do you have a mobile number for the health visitor?

Is their office open 7 days a week? (Prob not)

But they might be able to request a prescription from O.O.H G.P

@frontlegsofacow sorry but that's not correct, I have seen patients with mastitis twice as GP and both have needed referring to breast unit for draining and I wouldn't haven't known if not seen and examined the patient.
In some circumstances, like yours, when a patient is (justifiably!) not willing to come in I would prescribe antibiotics as it's better than nothing. But please don't tell people there's no reason to see someone in person as that's not always the case.

As the above suggests OP, please be vigilant for signs of sepsis.

Have you taken 2 ibuprofen? If not, DO THAT NOW.

My last bout of mastitis came on v v quickly, I was almost delirious whilst on the phone to NHS111, telling them they'd need to carry me down to an ambulance cos I literally couldn't move... my husband fed me two ibuprofen and within an hour I felt 80% better. It was almost unbelievable. Just 2 ibuprofen!

Take them - they're anti inflammatory - until you can get some antibiotics (which I'm afraid will not work instantly ). Also, ask your husband to BEG SOMEONE, ANYONE! for help tomorrow. You need to rest in bed, and maybe not actually be physically able to deal with all your children.

My very best wishes, and a virtual but very gingerly hug.

I remember BF on all fours through this absolute hell of a time

You absolutely must see a doctor and get antibiotics op. Mastitis can progress at a scary clip and end up with an abscess on your chest wall etc.

If you already have had a fever for more than a day, then this is urgent im afraid. Please seek medical attention asap and be pushy.

Definitely need antibiotics, I had awful mastitis twice, cleared up really quickly once on antibiotics

All of the above and if your DH can get to a shop, savoy cabbage leaves kept in the fridge.

Wear inside your bra. Very soothing.

Also YY to hot baths, gently massage AWAY from the nipple (with a comb's teeth dipped in soap!), or a handheld shower-head with a not too ferocious pulse spray.

You can try to feed baby in the bath too, if DH on hand to pass in and get out, and once they're latched onto one side (having massages away from the nipple and expressed a little if nec), then try gently expressing the other side just to let down a little, to relieve the worst of the engorgement.